The Washington Nationals Try to Psych Out Their Opponents With Bad Music

They say if you’re not constantly looking for an edge, you’re not trying hard enough, and the Washington Nationals are decidedly trying hard enough. According to a report in The New York Times, the Nationals have decided to try and gain a musical edge over their opponents this season.

Typically during a Major League batting practice, the ballpark’s PA system plays upbeat, contemporary music (be it pop, rock, country, or rap). And when the Nationals take batting practice, that’s exactly what’s playing throughout the park. But when their opponents take batting practice, the Nationals have begun playing sad, slow, soft-rock songs. The type of songs that put you to sleep, or make you cry. Not exactly ideal if you’re trying to pump yourself up for an athletic competition.

So far some artists who have made the Nationals’ psychological warfare playlist are:

Elton John

R.E.M

The Carpenters

Sarah McLachlan

Sinead O’Connor

Kansas

It’s a clever idea, but it didn’t really work. The Mets took two out of three games from a Nationals team that is expected to compete for a World Series this year. I don’t know about the Nationals, but rainy days and Mondays and losses to the Mets always bring me down.